Blank you very much

Thursday

Dec 6, 2012 at 12:01 AM

STOCKTON - Cody Reichard was even better the second time around.

Scott Linesburgh

STOCKTON - Cody Reichard was even better the second time around.

Making his second consecutive start, the Thunder goaltender had 38 saves and fought his way through a 4-on-6 disadvantage in the final minute to beat the Las Vegas Wranglers 1-0 on Wednesday in front of 2,538 at Stockton Arena for his first professional shutout.

Before the game, the Thunder was informed forward Kristians Pelss had been suspended for a team-record 21 games for delivering a blow with his stick to the face of Bakersfield's Olivier Dame-Malka during Saturday's contest.

Reichard beat the Wranglers 4-1 on Tuesday and was granted the start Wednesday. He made Toni Rajala's second-period power-play goal stand up and held off Las Vegas in the final 41 seconds when it was up two attackers after Stockton captain Garet Hunt was called for tripping and the Wranglers pulled their goalie.

"He was the difference-maker," Thunder coach Matt Thomas said. "I liked us defensively in a lot of areas, but Reichard was the difference."

Las Vegas outshot Stockton 38-23, and Reichard said he didn't have much time to glance up at the scoreboard.

"I was just trying to keep the boys in it, and they always come through," Reichard said. "It was good work, I was happy to get in there and get in a rhythm."

Rajala increased his scoring streak to an ECHL-high 13 games with a goal 2:39 into the second period, which touched off a fight between Stockton's Eric Hunter and Bretton Stamler of Las Vegas.

Rajala took a pass from Yannick Riendeau and put the puck past Wranglers goalie Joe Fallon. Stamler leveled Rajala with a hit from behind immediately after the goal, and Hunter stepped in to trade punches with Stamler.

Besides the fighting major penalties, Stamler was cited a minor for unsportsmanlike conduct and Hunter got called for roughing.

Pelss did not play Tuesday against Las Vegas, although his suspension was not announced until Wednesday.

He is eligible to return Jan. 13 when Stockton visits the Colorado Eagles.

Pelss was suspended and fined an undisclosed amount for what the ECHL deemed was "a two-handed, forceful slash behind the play to the face of an unsuspecting opponent, causing an injury." Pelss hit the left side of Dame-Malka's face with the butt of his stick behind the Condors net in the first period. There was no penalty called on the play.

Dame-Malka was prone on the ice for several minutes before being removed on a stretcher. He had a badly swollen face and was diagnosed with a concussion, Bakersfield coach Matt O'Dette said.

Thomas said he agreed with the league's decision and hopes Dame-Malka recovers quickly.

"When you swing your stick and it hits someone in the face or head, it's a dangerous act," Thomas said.

"It was out of character. But he did do something out of character, and you have to pay the consequences for your actions."